Cobras win fourth straight title behind Hernandez and Avilez

Straight from Saturday’s sports section, here’s the story on the 3A-1A boys track and field championships at Hayward Field, which finished today.

Central Linn senior Josue Avilez did what he was supposed to do Friday in the Class 2A boys state track championships. He won the 100 meters for the third consecutive year and anchored a first-place relay team for the Cobras.

The event Avilez didn’t win — the 200 — was won by Central Linn’s DiSean Hernandez, who outshined his well-decorated teammate on the final day of the small-school track championships at Hayward Field.

Hernandez, competing in his first track season, won the long jump Thursday and followed that up with wins in the triple jump and 200. He was also the one who gave the Cobras the lead in the 4×100 on the third leg and then handed off to Avilez.

“Stud. Stud,” Avilez said, breathless after the 200 in which Hernandez beat him 22.78 seconds to 23.01. “That’s all I can say. Blessed with talent. He helped us so much this year. He was the wild card we needed this year.

“Transferred from South Albany and just blew us away.”

Adrian won the Class 1A team title with 58 points against Southwest Christian (48). In the Class 3A team chase, Nyssa won its third championship in four years.

Central Linn coach Mike Day went into the state meet doubtful the Cobras could hold off Enterprise or Portland Christian. The Outlaws and Royals had the numbers, but Central Linn made up for it by winning six individual state championships and finishing runner-up in two more.

“It’s a blessing, honestly,” Avilez said of winning four straight team championships and being on four winning 4×100 relay teams. “I don’t know if many people can say that.

Oliver Meyr won the high jump for Central Linn and Tate Barnes was second in the 110-meter hurdles Friday. Kavic Belcastro was the runner-up in the pole vault Thursday.

Capping it all was Hernandez’s 200. He crossed the finish line and a smile immediately appeared.

“I don’t think I’ll ever be able to stop smiling,” Hernandez said. “It’s the greatest feeling in the world.”

Lowell senior Austin McNichols left Hayward with a few memories of his own. McNichols won the 1A pole vault Thursday and he chased that Friday with wins in the 110 and 300 hurdles. As he crossed the line in the 300 in 40.47, McNichols held up seven fingers, signifying how many state championships he’s won.

“Feels pretty great,” said McNichols, who has won six track titles and one in wrestling. “Very satisfying. The meet went exactly how I wanted it to.”

McNichols won the 110 hurdles in 14.93, breaking the 15-second barrier for the first time and setting the Lowell record.

The Red Devils finished third in the team scoring.

Creswell’s Sean Kounovsky helped the Bulldogs to a third-place team finish. He won the 3A 300 hurdles by 0.07 seconds against Pieter Top of Gervais. Kounovsky also finished third in the 110 hurdles and anchored Creswell’s second-place 4×400 relay team.

Oakridge’s Joseph Fine was second in the 2A boys 800.

Ben Schorzman is an experienced preps reporter who worked at The News-Register in McMinnville for three years before coming to the Register-Guard in August of 2013. He's a University of Oregon grad and a fan of small-town high school sporting events in old gyms. Follow him on Twitter @benschoz_RG.